Homilies

FOURTH SUNDAY OF EASTER: CARING FOR, FEELING COMPASSION FOR, AND GUIDING THE FLOCK

TODAY’S CELEBRATION is called the Good Shepherd Sunday. The image of God as Shepherd has its precedence in the Old Testament literature. God has been depicted as a Shepherd in the book of Genesis (49:24), and in the book of Psalms (23, 74, 80).

In our gospel today, Jesus shows to us that he is the Good Shepherd. By saying so, he becomes the fulfillment of the Old Testament longings and prophecies for a Shepherd of the flock. As the gospel suggests, Jesus has three characteristics of a good Shepherd: care, compassion, and guidance.

First, he is a Shepherd who cares for his flock. His caring can be seen in his great love for his sheep. He loves his sheep so much that he is willing to lay down his life for them. Here, Jesus contrasts himself from a “hired man” who abandons the sheep when the wolves come. He is different from a hired man because Jesus has concern for his sheep.

Second, he is a Shepherd who feels compassion for his sheep. Sheep are no powerful in the face of wolves. He shows compassion for them by protecting them from harm. His compassion likewise goes beyond the flock that he is called to care.

Third, he is a Shepherd who guides his sheep. Sheep can graze on barren land, but someone must lead them to pasture, to water, and to shelter.  They must be sought out when they are separated from the flock because they will never find a way back themselves. This is how he guides his flock. Moreover, Jesus also speaks of leading other sheep that do not belong to the fold. He leads them so that they may also hear his voice.

What do these things say to us?

One the one hand, the image of Jesus as the Good Shepherd is reminder for all the leaders of the Church who are called to shepherd the flock or faithful entrusted to them. First, the bishops and priests must be willing to offer their lives for their flock. I remember one African bishop who marched along with his people in the midst of civil war. When asked why he did not flee to other countries by plane, and instead, joined the dangerous march, he said “These are my people! I will never leave them.” This is a true mark of a leader’s concern and love for his flock. Second, the leaders should also show compassion for their faithful. That compassion can be seen in their willingness to listen to the people’s problems, fears, anxieties, hopes, and joys. How many leaders who listen only to themselves, and fail to listen to their people? Third, the Church leaders must guide their flock. Preaching the Word of God is of prime importance. Likewise, explaining to people the things of faith that are obscure is also a responsibility of the Church leaders.

On the other hand, the image also reminds the faithful that they are sheep which need to be protected and guided by the Shepherd. The love, care, protection, and guidance of the Church leaders would be useless if the faithful are too arrogant to say that they do not need the guidance of the Church leaders. The faithful need to be obedient to the Church leaders. Moreover, the faithful should know how to listen “to the voice” of the leaders. The guidance would be useless if the faithful do not care to listen to the preaching, commandments, teaching, and exhortation of the Church leaders. In guiding them, they must learn to “hear the voice” of the Shepherds. It could be a problem when one does not care to listen. Like, for instance, the leaders would say that abortion is evil. But how many people listened to it? How many Catholics women have committed abortion? Also, the leaders would say that marital infidelity is evil because it affects the health of the family. But how many couples have cared to listen to it? How many husbands or wives remain faithful to their matrimonial promises?

Thus, we need to be aware that we have Shepherds in the Church who try to follow the example of Christ the Good Shepherd. We must allow ourselves to be guided and to listen to their voice.

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